Well packer



Nov. 6, 1962 G. A. LowREY ET AL 3,062,292

ATTORNX NOV. 6, 1962 G, A, L OWREY ET AL 3,062,292

WELL PACKER ATTORNEY Nov. 6, 1962 G. A. LowRl-:Y ET AL 3,062,292

WELL PACKER Filed Dec. 17, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fey fof? H. G/czzeINVENTORS ATTOR/Vfy United 3,062,292 Patented Nov. 6, 1952 3,062,292WELL TRACKER George A. Lowrey and Peyton H. Glaze, Houston, Tex.,assignors of one-half to said Lowr'ey and one-half to John W. ritin-ner,Jr., Houston, Tex.

Filed Dec. 17, 1954, Ser. No. 476,026 11 Claims. (El. 16o- 123) Thisinvention pertains to well apparatus and more particularly to adrillable bridging plug to be installed in a well to provide a barrierto fluid ilow in the well past the plug and to a tool for setting theplug that can be operated on the end of a wire line and removed afterthe bridging plug is set.

It is an object of the invention to provide such a bridging plug andsetting tool that will be reliable in operation, inexpensive tomanufacture, easy and economical to operate and maintain, and that willbe rugged and durable.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a spring drivensetting tool which can easily be cocked, ie., the spring compressed toprepare the tool for use, this being accomplished according to theinvention by hydraulic means.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus in whichboth the mandrel and anchor of the bridging plug are initially connectedIto the setting tool.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tripping device forsimultaneously actuating the setting tool and preparing it for releasefrorn the plug without the need for subsequent manipulation of the wireline.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description of a preferred embodiment thereof wherein FIGURESlA-lD together are a vertical section through an apparatus comprising abridging plug and setting tool embodying the invention;

FIGURES 2-6 are schematic views each similar to the composite of FIGURESlA-lD but to a smaller scale and illustrating the apparatus in differentpositions of operation;

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal section taken on line 7--7 of FIGURE 1D.

Referring now to FIGURE 1A, the bridging plug there shown comprises agenerally cylindrical mandrel 10 having a cylindrical passage 11 throughthe axis thereof. The lower end of passage 11 is counterbored at 12 andthe counterbore is internally threaded to receive a screw plug 13 whichtogether with O ring seal 14 closes passage 11.

The outer surface of the mandrel is of smallest diameter at its lowerend where it is provided with a screw thread 15. Above the threadedportion is a lower smooth portion 16 of slightly larger diameter andabove that is an upper smooth portion 17 of still larger diameter with aradial shoulder 1S between the upper and lower smooth portions. Thelargest diameter portion 19 is at the upper end of the mandrel with aradial shoulder 20 between the uppermost portion and the upper portion17.

As shown in FIGURE 1B, the upper end of the mandrel is provided withmeans to engage the lower end 21a of the inner spring driven part of thesetting tool, which means comprises a counterbore 22 and an annulargroove 23 formed on the interior thereof.

Referring again to FIGURE 1A, a packing sleeve 30 of rubber or canvas orother sealing material that can b-e expanded radially by axialcompression is disposed on upper portion 17 of the mandrel making aclose slidable friction fit therewith. The upper and lower ends ofsleeve 30 are conically tapered at 31 and 32. The lower end of sleeve 30is even with shoulder 18. A conical slip expander 33 is slidably mountedon lower smooth portion 16 of the mandrel 10 and is held up againstshoulder 1S by a shear pin 34. Expander 33 has an annular upstandingilange 35 that surrounds the lower tapered end portion 31 of sleeve 3i?.

A plurality of slips 411i, for example three in number, are disposedaround expander 33 and pressed radially inwardly against the expanded bymeans of a garter spring 41. The lower end of each of the slips isprovided with an inturned L flange 42 engaging an annular outturned Lflange 43 on the upper end of a collar 44 screwed onto the lower end ofthe mandrel. Collar 44 is provided with a plurality of angularlydisposed sockets 45 housing compression springs 46, one for each slip,which tend to push the slips upwardly on the expander cone 33 but whichare prevented from doing so as long as flanges 42 and 43 are engaged.When pin 34 is sheared and expander cone 33 pushed down into the groupof slips they move radially outward until langes 42 and 43 are no longerengaged, following which springs 46 push the slips upon the expandercone until the teeth 47 on the outside of the slips engage the wellcasing (not shown) to anchor the mandrel against downward motion in thewell. The teeth on the slips may be downwardly directed or preferablyradially directed as shown since if the expander cone is held againstmotion out of the slips, the mandrel will be anchored against upward aswell as downward motion. The teeth could even be upwardly directed butthis is not preferred.

An upper expander cone 50 is slidably mounted on upper smooth portion 17of the mandrel between shoulder 2i) and the upper end of packer sleeve30. It has an annular downturned ange 51 surrounding the upper taperedportion 32 of the packer sleeve. Inside expander cone Sti there is aconical recess 52 within which there are a plurality of slips 53 havingteeth 54. Preferably teeth 54 are upwardly directed, or radiallydirected as shown. When cone 5l) is moved downwardly the slips 53 lockon the mandrel and prevent upward motion:

A plurality of slips 60 whose teeth are upwardly directed, or radiallydirected as shown, are disposed around cone 50 and pressed radiallyinward against the cone by a garter spring 61. The upper end of each ofthe slips has an inturned L flange 62 engaging an annular outturned Lflange 63 on the lower end 64a of the outer spring driven part of thesetting tool. When the outer spring driven part is forced down relativeto mandrel 10, it pushes slips 60 down on cone 50 expanding garterspring 61 until the slips engage the sides of the well hole and anchorthe mandrel against upward movement. As long as cone 5t) keeps the slips60 expanded they also anchor the mandrel against downward movement. Whenthe slips 6) move out to the well wall, their flanges 62 also disengageanges 63 of the setting tool.

ri`he passage 11 in the mandrel receives the lower end 71a of the coreof the setting tool. This lower end 71a is provided with an annularrecess 71b adapted to receive latching balls 3d (referring now to FIGURE1B) when raised relative to lower end 21a of the inner spring drivenmember 21 of the setting tool. When member 71a is so raised, balls canmove inwardly from annular recess 23 thereby freeing the mandrel fromthe inner spring driven member of the setting tool.

The outer spring driven part of the setting tool comprises lower member64@ having inturned han ge 64b (referring now to FIGURE 1B) andexternally threaded at 64C to receive tubular member 64d. The innerspring driven part of the setting tool comprises lower member 21a havinga shoulder 2lb resting on the upper end of mandrel and having a reducedthreaded upper end 21C onto which a tubular member 21d is screwed. Acoupling 21e is screwed into tubular member 21d and lits closely insidetubular member 64d. A Chevron packing 811 is held in place betweentubular member 64d and the reduced upper end 211 of coupling of coupling21e by an internally threaded ring 21g screwed onto threaded portion21h. A tubular extension 211' is screwed inside coupling 21e at itsupper end. Between the tubular members 21d and 64a' of the inner andouter spring driven parts is a powerful helical compression spring 82which bears at its upper end against coupling 21e and at its lower endagainst flange 64b.

The core of the setting tool comprises lower end member 71a, slidablyextending through member 21a of the inner spring driven part of thesetting tool and having an enlarged upper end '71C interlocked with aninturned annular ange 71d on the lower end of a tubular member 71eforming a telescopic lost motion connection therebetween. Tubular member71e is screwed to the lower end of rod 71f which slides within withintubular member 21d of the inner spring driven part of the setting tool.A helical compression spring 71g presses at its upper end against thelower end of rod 71jc and at its lower end against the upper end 71e ofmember 71a so as to press the lost motion connection to fully extendedposition. When the setting tool is being connected to the bridging plugthe lost motion connection enables lower member 71a to be moved upwardlyrelative to the lower end 21a of the inner spring driven part so thatrecess 7111 is opposite balls 80 in order that the lower end 21a of theinner spring driven part can be inserted into counterbore 22 in theupper end of the mandrel until balls 80 are opposite recess 23 in themandrel. Then member 71a is released and it moves down locking balls 80in recess 23, thereby connecting the mandrel and inner spring drivenpart.

In order that member 71a can be held retracted, as above described,during assembly of the bridging plug and setting tool, the screw plug 13in the lower end of the mandrel is removed and the bridging plug can becentered on an opstanding pin which contacts member 71a when the settingtool is placed on top and pushes member 21a to the proper position.After the bridging plug and setting tool are connected, screw plug 13 isreplaced in the mandrel before the bridging plug and setting tool arerun into the well.

Referring now to FIGURE lC, the core of the setting tool furthercomprises a rod 71]' Screwed into the upper end of rod 71j. Rod 71j isof smaller diameter than tubular extension 211' leaving an annular spacetherebetween in which is disposed a helical compression spring 83bearing at its lower end against the top of rod 71]c and at its upperend against a pipe 21j screwed into the top of tubular extension 211'.The upper end of pipe 21]' rests against radial shoulder 71h on rod '77jat the beginning of an upper enlarged portion 71 thereof. By this meansa lost motion connection is provided between the core of the settingtool and the inner spring driven part thereof. Spring 83 tends to keepthis lost motion connection fully contracted and provides a shockabsorber when the connection is loaded in tension as occurs when thesetting tool is removed from the well after the plug has been set. Onthe way down into the well there is no tension on this connection aswill appear hereinafter.

The outer spring driven part of the setting tool further comprises abushing 64e screwed into the upper end of tubular member 64d. A Chevronpacking 84 between a eounterbore 64f in the lower end of the bushing andthe outside of tubular extension 211' is compressed by a ring 64gscrewed into the eounterbore. Bushing 64e also serves to limit therelative motion of the inner and outer spring driven parts by engagementwith coupling 21e. Longitudinal passages 64h and radial passages 641' inbushing 64e provide communication between the outside of setting tooland the annulus between tubular member 64d and tubular extension 211' toprevent hydraulic locking of these parts. Also, passage 641' is threadedto receive a. check valve and pump connector so that oil can be pumpedinto the annulus to compress spring 82 to prepare the setting tool foruse.

The outer spring driven part further comprises a pipe 64j screwed into aeounterbore 64k in the upper end of bushing 64e. Pipe 64]' makes asliding t over tubular extension 2li and pipe 21]' connected thereto andconstituting the upper end of the inner spring driven part of thesetting tool. The extension 211' and pipe 21]' are provided with annularrecesses 21k and 21L. Pipe 641' is provided with upper and lower sets ofapertures 64L and 64m receiving upper and lower sets of balls 8S, 86.Balls 86 are urged radially inwardly by springs 6411 in recesses 64o inthe outer spring driven part closed by screw plugs 64p. This provides asemi-locking means connecting the upper end of the inner spring drivenpart to the outer spring driven part. The term semi-locking is used todefine a device that prevents relative motion if the force is below apredetermined force but releases when the force is higher, and todistinguish from an ordinary lock which will not release at all butinstead ruptures when excess force is applied.

A sleeve 90 slidably surrounding pipe 64j holds balls 85 in engagementwith recess 211. except when the sleeve is lowered until annular recess91 is opposite recess 21L. Sleeve 90 will remain in elevated positiondue to the friction caused by the outward pressure of balls 85 which arewedged outwardly by the upper sloping side wall 21m of recess 21L underthe axial pressure of spring S2. By this means the upper end of theinner spring driven part is positively but releasably connected orlatched to the outer spring driven part.

Referring now to FIGURE 1D, the outer spring driven part furthercomprises a bushing 64:1 screwed into the upper end of pipe 64j andslidably surrounding rod 711' of the core of the setting tool. As shownalso in FIGURE 7, there is an annular recess 71k in rod 71 and there area plurality of apertures 641' in busihng 64:1 adapted to receive lockingballs 87. These balls are held in engagement with recess 71k by sleeve92 screwed into sleeve 90, except that there is an annular recess 93 insleeve 92 adapted to receive balls 37 and release them from recess 71kwhen sleeve 92 is forced down with sleeve 90. A

flange 64s on bushing 64q engages the lower end of sleeve 92 to limitits downward travel. By this means the upper end of the outer springdriven part is positively releasably connected or latched to the core ofthe setting tool.

Sleeve 92 has a portion 94 of smaller inside diameter than the rest ofthe sleeve slidably surrounding rod 711'. Sleeve 92 also has anoutwardly extending larger diameter portion 95 engaging the upper end ofsleeve 90 to provide a large force transmitting surface for drivingsleeve downward. The upper end 96 of sleeve 92 forms an annular pistonmoving in a cylinder 100. A pipe 101 screwed onto the lower end ofcylinder 100 provides a xed housing outside of sleeve 90. Ports 102adjacent the outwardly extending larger diameter portion of sleeve 92provide vents to the exterior of the tool from the interior of cylinderwhen piston 96 drives sleeves 92 and 90 down and piston 96 entersenlarged portion 103 of the cylinder and portion 95 of sleeve 92 movesdown and uncovers ports 102.

The upper end 71L of rod 711' of the core of the setting tool is screwedinto the head 104 of cylinder 100. A tubular extension 105 above thehead 104 provides a combustion chamber above the head. Ports 106 throughthe head, preferably filled with grease or liquid Provide hydraulicmeans to transfer pressure from the combustion space to the interior ofcylinder 100 above piston 96.

Any suitable means may be provided inside the combustion chamber ofcylinder extension 105 for providing the required pressure to drivepiston 96. Also any suitable means may be provided to connect extension105 to means for raising and lowering the setting tool and bridging plugin the well hole. As shown, there is a rope socket 107 screwed intoextension 105 for connecting it to an electric wire line 108. Acartridge 120 of exposive material has an electric detonating lamenttherein, one end of which is grounded to the rim 121 and the other endof which is connected to a central Contact 122.

Cartridge 120 is supported in rope socket 107 by a ring 123 screwed intothe lower end of the rope socket and held in ring 123 by a screw ring124. An insulating bushing 125 is screwed into ring 124 and a pin 126 isscrewed into bushing 125 to engage contact 122. The head 127 of pin 126engages conductor 128 connected to the electric wire line 108. Byclosing a circuit through the wire line and the filament of cartridge120, the exposive charge in the cartridge will be ignited and theresultant pressure will be hydraulically transmitted to piston 96.Instead of detonating the cartridge electrically it could be set off bypercussion by dropping a go-devil down the well, guided by the well wallor the wire line, or if the setting tool is run on tubing, an electricor percussion type go-devil could be dropped inside the tubing.

To prepare the apparatus for use the spring 82 is compressedhydraulically as previously described and sleeve 90 is lifted manuallyto lock balls 85 and 87 in recesses 21L and 71k. The hydraulic pressureis then removed from the annulus between tubular member 64d and tubularextension 2li and the force of spring 82 tends to drive balls S5 and 87outwardly, thereby holding sleeve 90 in place. The bridging plug is thencentered on a pin and the setting tool placed on top of it. Initiallyballs 80 in apertures 21x in member 21a protrude radially beyond 21a andwould not enter counterbore 22 in the mandrel of the bridging plug. Theyare prevented from falling out by peening the edges of apertures 21x asshown at 21y. However, the center pin pushes member 71a upwardlyallowing the balls S0 to move into recess 711) so that the lower end 21aof the inner spring driven part can enter the mandrel of the bridgingplug. The recess 71h has enough axial extent so that the balls 80 cancontinue to remain therein as member 21a of the setting tool is loweredinto the mandrel 10. Then when walls 80 can move out into recess 23 inthe mandrel the bridging plug can be lifted from the center pin and themember 71a will be pushed down by spring 71g and lock the balls inrecess 23. Before the bridging plug is lifted off the center pin slips60 are moved by hand against garter spring 61 and lifted to engage theirflanges 62 with flanges 63 on the lower end 64a of the outer springdriven part. After the bridging plug is lifted off the center pin screwplug 13 is inserted in the lower end of the mandrel. The setting tool isthen connected at its upper end to an electric rope socket and is readyto lower into the well hole. This is the position of the apparatus shownin FIGURES 1A through 1D.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 through 6, there is shown the operation of theapparatus in sequence. FIGURE 2 shows the parts in the same position asin FIGURE 1 with the outer spring driven part latched to the core byballs 87 and the inner spring driven part latched to the outer by ballsS5 and the mandrel of the bridging plug latched to the inner springdriven part by balls S0 and the spring 82 compressed. It will be notedthat because of the abutment of the upper end of pipe 21]' of the innerspring driven part with shoulder 71h of the core, upward motion of theinner spring driven part relative to the outer spring driven part isprevented whether or not they are latched together by balls 85 (and 86).Balls 85, however, prevent downward motion of the inner spring drivenpart relative to the outer as might occur if the bridging plug becamecaught in the well hole. Such downward motion, however, would requirefurther compression of spring 82. It is apparent therefore that balls 87and the abutting shoulder 71h and end of pipe 21]l and spring 82 providea means to oppose or prevent relative motion of the inner and outerspring driven parts, just as do balls 85 and as do also balls 86 of thesemi-locking device.

When the apparatus is being lowered in the well hole 4both expandercones 33 and 50 are positively held against upward motion by shoulders18 and 20 so that the only way the upper anchor could be set and thepacker expanded would be by the slips 60 becoming disengaged from thelower end of the setting tool which is positively prevented by anges 62and 63. The tool is not likely, therefore, to become accidentally stuckin the hole. The lower slips are also locked to the lower end of themandrel by anges 42 and 43 and cone 33 is held up by shear pin 34 sothat this lower anchor is not likely to set either. However, setting ofthe lower anchor without setting of the rest of the -bridging plug wouldnot prevent lifting the apparatus up out of the well and would not be soserious.

When the bridging plug has been lowered to the desired position in thewell, the cartridge is detonated, forcing piston 96 down and drivingsleeves 92 and 90 down to unlock balls 87 and 85. Spring 32 expands.Semi-locking balls 86 act as shock absorbers and release. Spring S2expands further causing relative motion of the inner and outer springdriven parts. This causes relative upward motion of the mandrel 10 anddownward motion of slips 60. The slips move outwardly on cone 50 untilthey engage the well wall and stop. As the mandrel 10 continues upwardit causes cone 33 to move up compressing packer sleeve 30 against cone50 which wedges into the slips 60. Then pin 34 shears and cone 33 movesdown and mandrel 10 moves up until the lower end of cone 33 engages theupper end of collar 44, during which motion slips 40 expand on cone 33until flanges 42 and 43 are disengaged. Springs 46 then propel slips 40upwardly and outwardly still further until they engage the well wall andkeep the slips in engagement with the cone 33 and the well wall asfurther upward motion of the mandrel 10 and collar 44 and cone 33further axially compress packer sleeve 30 and expand it radially intoengagement with the well wall. This is the position shown in FIGURE 3.It is to be noted that the axial force required to set the packer sleeveis not transmitted through slips 40 but by direct engagement of collar44 with the lower end of cone 33. Therefore the slips 40` are relievedof a great deal of wear and tear which would otherwise occur.

By pulling upon the wire line the core of the setting tool will belifted, causing recess 71b on member 71a to be disposed opposite balls80. Spring 83 compresses to allow the core of the setting tool to belifted even though the inner spring driven part is still latched to thebridging plug. This is illustrated in FIGURE 4. A

When balls S0 move into recess 71b the entire setting tool can be liftedaway from the bridging plug and spring 83 supports the inner springdriven part on the core-of the setting tool and spring 82 supports theouter spring driven part on the inner spring driven part so that it isall removed together. This is illustrated in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 6 shows the iinal condition of the well with only the bridgingplug remaining anchored therein. Since the setting tool, and inparticular all the springs thereof, are entirely removed, if it isdesired to remove the bridging plug it can be easily drilled out. Thebridging plug itself can be made entirely of easily drillable materials.The setting tool is undamaged and can be used repeatedly.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, many modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in theart without departing from the spirit of the invention and it is desiredto cover by Letters Patent all forms of the inventtion falling withinthe following claims.

We claim:

'1. A bridging plug including a mandrel having a packing sleeve mountedthereon, means on the mandrel below the sleeve to support the lower endof the sleeve, anchor means slidably mounted on the mandrel above thesleeve for engaging a well casing, and means for releasably connectingsaid anchor means to a setting tool, said anchor means and said meansfor releasably connecting said anchor means to a setting tool comprisingan upwardly pointing slip expander cone slidably mounted on said mandrelabove said sleeve, a plurality of slips around said cone, resilientmeans urging said slips radially inward against said cone, an inturnedflange on the upper end of each of said slips adapted to engage anoutturned annular ange on the lower end of said setting tool with theradial overlap of said anges being less than the radial movement of saidslips upon axial motion thereof along said cone to cause said slips tobe released from said setting tool when said slips are moved out to setthe anchor means.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said mandrel has a downwardlyfacing shoulder above said expander cone, and the upper end of saidexpander cone is in engagement with said shoulder prior to the settingof said bridging plug to prevent said cone from moving up to expand andset said slips when the plug is being lowered into a well hole.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said cone has an internal taperedgroove pointing down and there are a plurality of slips in said groovehaving teeth engaging said mandrel to prevent upward motion of said conerelative to said mandrel after said plug has been set.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means to support the packingsleeve at its lower end comprises a second anchor means including adownwardly pointing expander cone slidably mounted on said mandrel belowsaid sleeve, shearable means holding the last said cone against slidingon said mandrel, a group of slips around the last said cone, resilientmeans urging the slips of said group radially inward against the lastcone, an inturned flange on each of the lower end of each of the slipsin said group, an outurned annular ilange connected to the lower end ofsaid mandrel adapted to engage the inturned flanges of the last saidslips, the radial overlap of said flanges being less than radialmovement of the last said slips upon axial motion thereof along saidcone to cause the last said slips to be released from said mandrel whenthe last said slips are moved out to set the last said 4anchor means.

5. The combination of claim 4 in which there is a ilange connected tosaid mandrel below said downwardly pointing cone limiting its motioninto the last said slips to less than that required to set the last saidanchor means but sufcient to free the last said slips from said mandrel,and there is spring means acting on each of the last said slips to urgethe last said slips farther onto said downwardly pointing cone suflcientto set said second anchor means.

6. The combination of claim 4 wherein said mandrel has a downwardlyfacing shoulder above said downwardly pointing expander cone and theupper end of said downwardly pointing cone engages the last saidshoulder prior to the setting of the bridging plug to prevent said conefrom moving up to compress said packing sleeve axially and expand itradially when the plug is being lowered into a well hole.

7. The combination of claim 4 wherein said cones have annular axiallyextending anges adjacent said packing sleeve overlapping the upper andlower ends of said sleeve, said flange being internally tapered in thesame direction as said cones.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said sleeve is tapered at itsupper and lower ends to t inside said annular flanges on said cones.

9. A setting tool comprising a rst spring driven part, a second springdriven part axially slidably mounted on the first spring driven part,spring means bearing against said parts for causing relative axialmotion thereof in one direction on expansion of said spring means, iluidactuated means connected to said parts for causing relative axial motionof Said parts in the opposite direction to compress said spring means,releasable means for locking said parts in position corresponding tocompression of said spring means, and means for releasing said lockingmeans.

10. A well anchor comprising a mandrel, an expander cone slidablymounted thereon, a plurality of slips surrounding said cone, resilientmeans urging said slips radially inward, holding means on the mandrelcooperating with means on the slips for preventing axial movementthereof relative to said mandrel until the slips have moved radiallyoutward a predetermined distance, and spring means to move said slipsaxially toward said expander means when said means preventing axialmovement of the slips has released.

11. The combination of claim 1G in which said cone is axially slidablymounted on said mandrel for movement between an upper position adjacenta shoulder with which said mandrel is provided and a lower positionagainst said holding means, and said cone is initially by shear meansheld xed in said upper position against said shoulder.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,536,370 Becker May 5, 1925 2,230,712 Bendeler et al. Feb. 4, 19412,248,211 Young July 8, 1941 2,266,382 Quintrell et al Dec. 16, 19412,279,676 Hart Apr. 14, 1942 2,647,584 Baker et al Aug. 4, 19532,695,064 Ragan et al Nov. 23, 1954

